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The Pujehun District Health Management Team (DHMT), in collaboration with health partners and community stakeholders, has commemorated World Breastfeeding Week with renewed calls for stronger support for breastfeeding mothers as part of efforts to improve maternal and child health.
The event brought together healthcare professionals, community leaders, pregnant women and lactating mothers to raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of creating supportive environments that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully.
The programme was held under the theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
Delivering the opening address, District Surveillance Lead of the Pujehun DHMT, Alhaji Mahmoud Conteh, urged families, communities, healthcare workers and development partners to strengthen existing systems that encourage, protect and promote breastfeeding.
He described breastfeeding as an effective and affordable public health intervention that contributes to reducing infant mortality and supporting healthy growth and development.
“Breastfeeding gives every child the best possible start in life,” Conteh said, noting that exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months provides infants with the nutrients they need while helping protect them against common childhood illnesses.
He further highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, including supporting recovery after childbirth and reducing the risk of certain long-term health conditions.
Referring to this year’s theme, Conteh emphasized the need to strengthen systems that support breastfeeding, including quality healthcare services, family support, workplace policies that accommodate breastfeeding mothers and increased public awareness.
District Health Sister I, Madam Janet Tenneh Sankoh, encouraged mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties to seek professional medical advice rather than relying on misinformation or potentially harmful traditional practices.
She stressed that successful breastfeeding requires support from the wider community and called on fathers, caregivers, community leaders and employers to provide practical and emotional support to breastfeeding mothers.
Also speaking, Senior Nutritionist at the Pujehun DHMT, Madam Jestina Jabu, reaffirmed the district’s commitment to improving maternal and child nutrition through continuous health education, advocacy and community outreach programmes.
She said the DHMT would continue working to ensure mothers have access to accurate information and the support needed to practise exclusive breastfeeding.
Jabu also called on communities to create an enabling environment where breastfeeding is protected, promoted and supported, noting that healthier children contribute to stronger families and communities.
Participants, including pregnant women and lactating mothers, received health education on the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months, continued breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding, and proper maternal nutrition.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually from August 1 to 7 to promote breastfeeding and raise awareness of its role in maternal and child health.
The campaign also encourages governments, healthcare institutions, employers and communities to strengthen policies and programmes that enable mothers to breastfeed successfully and help ensure children receive a healthy start in life.
